Jesus’ disciples walked with Him, talked with Him, questioned Him, and at the same time, He sent them out. They did everything He told them to do, and it blew their minds. Yet Judas remained untouched by what he had seen and heard …“Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7-13. “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” Luke 9:6.

Then Jesus expanded the ministry group to 72. “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your Name.” The extra 72 disciples found that although they enjoyed ministry and power, there came a time when they found what Jesus said unpalatable – so they left. It happened to Jesus and it can happen to us! People do this. They want to run their own lives with their own plans, and when Jesus doesn’t suit those plans anymore , or they think they know better, they leave. Sadly we can be devastated by their decision to turn away from Him, and us.

John 6:66-67 “From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.” And Peter said in John 6:68-69: “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” I think Peter had been touched in his heart, but the 72 who left, had not.

These things can happen to people close to us, and it is startling. They are passionately praising God one minute, and wandering off after strange theories the next. They mutter stuff like: “I tried Christianity and it didn’t work for me.” (Take note of the word ME.) We have had people we dearly love in our own family wander off into lah-lah land. It is extremely distressing. My advice is – please don’t stop praying for them … and keep throwing love, as the Lord leads you … over the fence they’ve constructed around themselves. By throwing love over the fence, I mean only do the sweet things the Holy Spirit tells you to do, and then let go. If you can’t reach them anymore, then you need to trust in God Who is always pursing them, and helping you.

Hubby and I have chosen not to ostracise people we love that have wandered off, and on some occasions we sent food when they had none. Never give money to an addict, BTW. Give them food. And please don’t ever forget the prodigal son! He came home when he came to himself – and that took a while. But his father’s loyalty to him never wavered, he stood at the gate waiting, watching and looking for his lost son. Sometimes people have to see how bad this world is before they will even consider turning around. It is good to pray that the people you know will see through any deception that has attached itself to them. That prodigal turned around and went home, when he remembered his father’s kindness and generosity, even to pigs.

After all —“Not ONE promise from God is empty of power. Nothing is impossible with God!”” Luke 1:37. BTW, don’t write people off, I’ve seen the Lord go to amazing lengths to reach out to wayward people when everyone else least expects it. Just hold fast to what He has already given you. Those promises He made when you and He were deep in prayer together, both of you weeping over this huge loss. Keep your faith in Him and what He will do, moving. Please don’t park your car in grief, just keep walking forward with the Lord. When He brings your loved one back there will be no distance between you. Our part is to keep exercising forgiveness and forbearance, and keep on praying, then leave the results to Him.

It is so easy today for any one of us to believe lies. There are lies all over the place – in the news, in parliament, in advertising, in sport, in the media…  Many people believe what they feel is who they are. Personally, I think we all have no idea who we really are! The Lord made us for a purpose, so Jesus knows who we are! Sometimes who we really are can show up when we are under pressure, please don’t ignore these revelations or excuse yourself, instead pray over them. Nobody likes these thoughts, trust me. In those moments we like to blame circumstances, other people, or pretend stuff is an accident not likely to happen again.

We are fooled if we think of sin like a pool that anyone can dabble their feet in, we simply can’t afford the consequences. Without the Holy Spirit’s power helping us, minute by minute to overcome sin, we are dead in the water. Shark bait! Chum! Let’s remember that Jesus Himself is well acquainted with everyone’s sin. It killed Him. He died to give us power over it and He wants us to have compassion and pity on those who have been dragged under by the worst predator this world can imagine … satan himself.  

When people walk away, our hearts often go with them. I’ve learnt to take mine back, and give it to the Lord instead. Simply because the person I entrusted my heart to, can’t hear Him anymore. I am not, BTW, rejecting them, I am rejecting the way they have chosen to live. Bye. 👋.  “Lord so many of Your children are crying out in secret for those whom they love, who have lost their way. We need Your strength to keep moving forward, and Your compassion and love to comfort and help us, so that we will not falter no matter what others do. Thank You for Your ever present Grace, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”